ADVERTISEMENT

    Black Radish Creamery Makes Good Food Awards Finals

    Ohio farmers are some of the best in the country. They believe in the benefits of a local food system, support that system through diligence and creativity, and promote the natural and healthy food traditions born out of the Buckeye state. They are mostly unsung heroes, but some of the most talented foodies to be found.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    John and Anne Reese are two such artisans. They created and launched Black Radish Creamery in 2011, and in only two short years, find themselves on the short list for national Good Food Awards in the category Jams & Preserves.

    Black Radish Creamery started as a pop-up stall in front of  John’s sister’s Westerville business, where they sold their award-nominated Billionaire Preserves: strawberry rhubarb jam with a Beaujolais wine reduction and Tongan vanilla bean. It was a condiment he’d created for his wedding that hit the right notes with locals – and the Good Food Award judges as well.

    But it’s not the only flavor for which Black Radish Creamery is being recognized. Mr. Atwood’s Jelly is a roasted concord grape and rosemary-infused jelly that’s a grown-up version of a childhood treat. The grapes are from Coshocton County, the rosemary from near Newark, and the inspiration from Snapshots, a Granville restaurant. It’s an Ohio product through and through.

    The Resses were originally focused on getting an artisan cheese business going when they stumbled upon instant fame with their preserves. They spent nothing on advertising, yet found themselves making Capital Style’s Holiday-Must list, as well as Columbus Monthly’s Best Of Columbus list, in the first two years.

    Now, their products can be found at the Going Green Store and Welsh Hills Inn in Granville, The Bexley Natural Market, The Ohio Art Market in Westerville, Weilands Market and Global Gallery in Clintonville, The Hill’s Market Worthington and Downtown, and on the menu periodically at The Crest. Their products can also be ordered online.

    Every piece of fruit the Reeses buy is promptly made into a jam or jelly, as they don’t freeze anything. Their jars are micro-batches from recipes entirely composed by John as he and his wife travel across Ohio and are inspired by the crop. The Billionaire’s strawberries are sourced  from two Amish families around Utica, and the rhubarb from a produce auction in Mt. Hope.

    The Reeses hope to begin to sell their artisan cheese soon, but for now, customers can purchase and enjoy Bootleg Butter, Ohio-grown apples slow cooked with Grand Marnier and warm spices, Sailor’s Cider, Ohio-made apple cider turned into jelly, and spiced with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, and other products from Black Radish. A 4 oz. jar costs $4.75, while a 9 oz. jar is only $9.75.

    “This is what real food tastes like,” shares John on Black Radish Creamery’s passion. “Making food for someone is so special and a great responsibility. We know where our produce comes from. We meet the farmers, we shake their hands, and see what they are really all about. This is what makes Local Taste Better.”

    The Good Food Award winners will be announced this January in San Francisco. To follow John and Anne to victory, log on to www.facebook.com/BlackRadishCreamery. To place an order for your holiday baskets, visit www.blackradishcreamery.com.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Modo Yoga Opening Second Location in Clintonville

    “This has long been in the works,” says Chad...

    Cheap Eats: 6 Breakfasts on a Budget

    What’s the old saying? Breakfast is the most important...

    6 New & Recent Restaurant Openings in Central Ohio

    Breakfasts from classic to biscuit focused, desserts to satisfy...

    A Guide to Clintonville’s Brewery Scene

    With three brewery taprooms in Clintonville, all opened within...
    Ayana Wilson
    Ayana Wilsonhttps://columbusunderground.com
    Ayana Wilson is a former staff writer at Columbus Underground who covered local restaurant industry news.
    ADVERTISEMENT